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The PERT Study Guide to Succeed in College Placement

Sarah Nguyen

Created at June 25, 2025

What if the PERT test wasn’t something to fear, but an opportunity to show your true potential? Sure, it’s a big part of your college admissions process, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can approach it like a challenge you’re ready to crush. This PERT study guide is designed to help you unlock your full potential, guiding you through every step of your test preparation. From mastering the PERT math study guide to acing the reading and writing sections, we’ve packed this guide with everything you need to succeed.

What to study for the PERT test?

Math PERT study guide

The PERT Math test is designed to evaluate your understanding of basic mathematical concepts necessary for college-level coursework. Below is a detailed breakdown of the specific mathematical knowledge and skills that can be tested on the PERT Math section, with a focus on each area to help you prepare effectively.

Arithmetic

The arithmetic section tests your ability to work with numbers, perform calculations, and understand basic mathematical concepts. This section is foundational and tests the essential skills required for the other sections of the test.

Basic operations with whole numbers:
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Example questions: 15+27=?; 72−19=?; 8×5=?; and 144÷12=?

Working with fractions
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions.
- Converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers.
- Example questions: $\frac{1}{2} + \frac{3}{4}$ , $\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{5}{7}$ , or $\frac{7}{8} \div \frac{3}{4}$

Decimals
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals.
- Converting between decimals and fractions.
- Example questions: 2.75 + 1.45 =?, 3.6 × 2.5 =?, and 7.2 ÷ 1.2 =?

Percentages
- Finding the percentage of a number, converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages.
- Percentage increase or decrease.
- Example questions: What is 25% of 80?/ If a shirt costs $50 and is on sale for 20% off, what is the sale price?

- Order of operations

Understanding and applying the order of operations (PEMDAS) is crucial. PEMDAS stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division (from left to right), and addition and subtraction (from left to right).
Example questions: Solving 5 + 3 × (4 − 2) =?

Preparation tip: Be sure to practice mental math exercises to improve your speed in performing basic operations.

Algebra

The algebra section of the PERT test assesses your ability to understand and work with algebraic expressions, equations, and functions. This is an important section as it forms the basis for more advanced math in college.

Simplifying algebraic expressions:
- Combining like terms, expanding expressions, and simplifying.
- Example questions: Simplify 3x +6 − 5x − 7.
Solving linear equations:
- Solving one-variable equations.
- Example questions: Solve for x in the equation 3x + 5 = 20.
Solving inequalities:
- Solving simple inequalities and graphing solutions on a number line.
- Example questions: Solve and graph 2x − 4 > 10.
Working with exponents:
- Understanding the laws of exponents, including multiplication, division, and powers of powers.
- Example questions: Simplify $(x^2)$ $(x^3)$ ; $\frac{y^4}{y^2}$ ; or $(3x)^2$ .
Functions and graphing:
- Understanding the concept of a function and being able to graph simple linear equations.
- Example questions: Graph y = 2x + 3 and identify its slope and y-intercept.
Systems of equations:
- Solving systems of two linear equations using substitution or elimination methods.
- Example questions: Solve the system: x + y = 10 and 2x − y = 3.

Preparation tip: Make sure to practice simplifying expressions and solving linear equations as they appear frequently in the test.

Geometry

The geometry section of the PERT evaluates your ability to apply geometric principles to solve problems involving shapes, space, and measurement.

Basic geometric shapes:
- Understand properties and formulas for basic 2D shapes such as rectangles, squares, triangles, and circles.
- Example questions: Find the area of a circle with radius 4 inches using $A = \pir^2$ .
Perimeter and area:
- Be able to calculate the perimeter and area of common shapes.
- Example questions: Find the area of a triangle with base 6 cm and height 4 cm using $A = \frac{1}{2} \times base \times height$ .
Volume and surface area:
- Understand how to calculate the volume and surface area of 3D shapes such as cubes, spheres, and cylinders.
- Example questions: Find the volume of a rectangular prism with dimensions 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm using $V = l \times w \times h$ .
Angles:
- Solve problems involving complementary, supplementary, and vertical angles.
- Example questions: If two angles are complementary, and one angle is 30 degrees, what is the other angle?
Coordinate Geometry:
- Understand the coordinate plane, how to graph points, and calculate distances between points.
- Example questions: Find the distance between points (2,3) and (6,7) using the distance formula: $d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$

Preparation tip: Familiarize yourself with the formulas for area, perimeter, and volume, as these are commonly tested.

Data analysis

The data analysis section of the PERT tests your ability to interpret graphs, tables, and charts, as well as perform basic statistical calculations.

Reading graphs and charts:
- Understand bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and histograms. Be able to extract and interpret data from these visuals.
Descriptive statistics:
- Calculate the mean, median, mode, and range of a set of numbers.
- Example questions: Given the data set 2,3,4,5,6, calculate the mean, median, and mode with the mean formula: $\text{Mean} = \frac{\sum x_i}{n}$ (where x_i represents the data points and n is the number of data points)
Probability:
- Understand basic probability concepts, such as calculating the probability of an event occurring.
- Example questions: If a bag contains 3 red balls and 2 blue balls, what is the probability of drawing a red ball?
Interpreting data:
- Solve word problems based on data from tables, charts, or real-world scenarios.
- Example questions: If a survey shows 30% of people prefer tea over coffee, and the survey was taken by 100 people, how many people prefer tea?

Preparation tip: Practice reading and interpreting various types of data. This is a crucial skill in both the test and real-world applications.

PERT Reading study guide

The Reading section of the PERT test is designed to assess your ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret written texts. This section evaluates your understanding of both explicit and implicit content, the structure of passages, and your ability to infer meaning. Below is a summary of the key skills and concepts you need to focus on to succeed in the PERT Reading section.

Identifying main ideas and supporting details

A significant portion of the Reading section will test your ability to identify the main idea or theme of a passage. You’ll need to:

Identify the central idea or theme of the passage.
Understand how the supporting details reinforce the main idea.
Be able to summarize the main message the author is conveying.

For example, a passage may explain the importance of renewable energy, and you will be asked to identify the main idea and supporting details, such as the benefits of using solar and wind energy over fossil fuels.

Preparation tip: Read different types of academic texts (essays, articles, reports) and practice identifying their main idea and supporting details.

Inference and critical thinking

The PERT Reading section will also test your ability to make inferences, drawing conclusions from information that is not explicitly stated in the passage. In this section, you must:

Interpret implied meaning. You will be asked to make educated guesses about the author’s intent based on the text’s tone, word choice, and context.
Identify assumptions. Recognize what the author is assuming or leaving out, which can affect your understanding of the passage.

For example, if a passage discusses the effects of climate change but doesn’t specifically mention “global warming,” you may still need to infer that the author is discussing related concepts.

Preparation tip: Practice reading between the lines. Look for context clues and hidden messages that aren’t explicitly stated.

Vocabulary in context

Understanding vocabulary in context is crucial for success in the PERT Reading section. The test will evaluate your ability to:

Define words based on context. You will be given a passage with unfamiliar words, and you’ll need to figure out their meaning by understanding how they are used in the sentence or paragraph.
Recognize nuances in word meanings. Pay attention to the way certain words are used in specific contexts, as they may have different meanings than their dictionary definitions.

For example, the word “bark” in one context may refer to the outer covering of a tree, while in another, it may refer to the sound a dog makes.

Preparation tip: Expand your vocabulary by reading academic articles and using context clues to understand new words.

Understanding text structure

Being able to recognize the structure of a passage is another important skill for the PERT Reading section. This includes:

Identifying organizational patterns or recognizing how the text is organized, such as cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution, or sequence.
Identifying transitions and signal words. Words like “however,” “therefore,” and “for example” will signal key shifts in the structure or flow of ideas.

For example, if you are reading a passage discussing the history of the internet, signal words might help you identify when the author shifts from explaining its early development to discussing its impact on modern society.

Preparation tip: Practice identifying the structure of academic texts by reading essays, research papers, and articles. Look for signal words and make a note of how the text flows.

Analyzing the author’s purpose and tone

Another crucial skill for the PERT Reading section is understanding the author’s purpose and tone. This means you should be able to:

Identify why the author wrote the passage, whether the purpose is to inform, persuade, entertain, or analyze.
Recognize the tone of the passage. Tone refers to the author’s attitude toward the subject, which could be serious, humorous, critical, or neutral.

For example, if an article is about pollution but uses terms like “devastating” or “destructive,” the tone might be critical or concerned.

Preparation tip: Read a variety of texts (news articles, essays, opinion pieces) and practice identifying the author’s purpose and tone based on the language and word choices used.

Reading comprehension

A large portion of the PERT Reading section will ask you to differentiate between main ideas and supporting details. You’ll need to:

Distinguish between essential and non-essential information by identifying the key points the author is making and separating them from less critical details.
Analyze the relationship between ideas to understand how the main idea connects to the supporting details and how they work together to develop the overall message.

For example, in a passage about deforestation, the main idea might be the environmental consequences, while the supporting details might provide facts or examples of the effects on ecosystems.

Preparation tip: When reading, practice highlighting the main idea and identifying the supporting details in each paragraph

PERT Writing study guide

The PERT Writing section is designed to assess your ability to write clearly, logically, and with proper grammar. This section will test your understanding of sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and how to organize your thoughts in a coherent manner. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key areas you need to focus on to excel in the PERT Writing section.

Sentence structures

In the PERT Writing section, you’ll be tested on your ability to construct grammatically correct and clear sentences. You’ll need to focus on:

Simple and complex sentences: Understanding how to use both simple and compound sentences effectively.
Subject-verb agreement: Make sure the subject and verb in a sentence match in terms of number (singular/plural).
Sentence fragments and run-ons: Recognizing and correcting incomplete sentences or overly long sentences that lack proper punctuation.

Preparation tip: Practice by reviewing basic grammar rules, identifying errors in sample sentences, and rewriting sentences to improve clarity.

Grammar and punctuation

Grammar and punctuation are fundamental to the PERT Writing section. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to use the following correctly:

Punctuation: Understand the use of commas, semicolons, colons, and periods to separate ideas and clarify meaning.
- Example: “We went to the store, and then we stopped for lunch.”
Pronouns: Be sure pronouns agree with the noun they replace in terms of number and gender.
- Example: “Everyone should bring his or her book.”
Modifiers: Ensure modifiers are placed correctly to avoid ambiguity or confusion.
- Example: “I saw the man with the telescope” vs. “With the telescope, I saw the man.”

Preparation tip: Review grammar guides and practice punctuation exercises. Pay special attention to common punctuation mistakes like comma splices and run-on sentences.

Clarity and conciseness

In the PERT Writing section, your goal is to communicate ideas clearly and without unnecessary complexity. Here’s how to improve your writing:

Avoid wordiness: Don’t use more words than necessary. For example, instead of saying “due to the fact that,” simply say “because.”
Use active voice: The active voice is often clearer and more direct than the passive voice.
- Example (active): “The manager approved the proposal.”
- Example (passive): “The proposal was approved by the manager.”

Preparation tip: Practice editing your own writing for conciseness. Remove unnecessary words and phrases that don’t add meaning to the sentence.

Essay organization

The PERT Writing section may include a short essay prompt, which will test your ability to structure a coherent argument. You should know:

The introduction introduces the topic and clearly states your thesis.
Body paragraphs present your arguments or points in separate paragraphs, supporting them with facts or examples.
The conclusion summarizes your key points and restates your thesis in a new way, leaving the reader with a final thought or call to action.

Preparation tip: Practice writing essays under time constraints to ensure you can complete your argument within the allotted time.

Common writing errors

The PERT Writing section will test your ability to recognize and fix common writing mistakes, including:

Run-on sentences: Two independent clauses joined without appropriate punctuation.
- Example: “She likes reading, she also likes writing.”
- Correct: “She likes reading, and she also likes writing.”
Sentence fragments: Incomplete sentences that lack either a subject or a verb.
- Example: “Because I was tired.”
- Correct: “I went to bed early because I was tired.”

Preparation tip: Practice identifying and correcting common writing errors in sample passages.

How to study for the PERT test?

To ensure you’re fully prepared for the PERT test, follow these steps:

Understand all about the PERT test

First, you need to thoroughly understand the PERT test and why it matters for you. The PERT test consists of three sections: Math, Reading, and Writing. The test helps educational institutions identify whether students need developmental or remedial courses before taking college credit courses.

Practice with PERT-specific practice tests

Instead of trying to learn everything at once, it’s better to break your study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks. Focusing on one topic at a time will help prevent feeling overwhelmed or confused by the sheer amount of information. A great way to approach your PERT preparation is to practice by topic:

By tackling each section individually, you can build your confidence step by step. Easy Prep PERT practice tests specific to each section will help you identify areas that need improvement, and mastering each topic will ensure you’re fully prepared when test day arrives.

Target weak areas

After completing a practice test, take the time to thoroughly review your results. Identify the areas where you’re struggling and focus your efforts on improving those specific skills. Now is the perfect time to revisit the PERT study guide to reinforce key concepts or explore additional practice tests to sharpen your abilities. Based on your performance, tailor your study plan to target the areas that need the most attention, ensuring that you’re preparing as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Simulate real test conditions

After all, this is the golden time to practice under timed conditions. With the right practice test, you can get used to the test format and manage your time effectively on the actual test day. Our practice tests are timed, so you can simulate real test scenarios and track your progress over time.

Stay consistent with study routines

Consistency is key to success when preparing for the PERT test. By sticking to a steady study routine for one or two months before test day, you will come to the test with the most confidence and even think about flying colors.

FAQs

1. What do you need to pass the PERT writing?

To pass the PERT Writing section, there is no fixed passing score. Instead, your score determines which level of writing courses you are eligible to take. The score you receive will guide your placement into either college-level writing courses or developmental/remedial courses, depending on your performance.

2. What is the PERT formula?

The PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test) does not have a specific “formula” in the traditional sense, as it is a placement test designed to assess your readiness for college-level courses in reading, writing, and mathematics. Instead of a mathematical formula, the PERT provides a score that helps determine which courses you are eligible for based on your skill level.

3. What is the best way to study for the PERT test?

First, review the full PERT study guide above to understand testing content and practice key concepts in the section. Second, make sure to practice regularly and take timed practice tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Third, focus on your weak areas, reviewing mistakes to ensure you don’t repeat them. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared for the PERT test.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, the PERT test is a critical part of your college admissions process, and preparing for it requires the right approach. Use this PERT study guide to navigate through the test’s sections: reading, writing, and math. Focus on regular practice, review mistakes, and take timed practice tests to build confidence. By following these strategies, you will be well on your way to achieving a high score on the PERT test. Start your preparation today, and let this study guide be your first step toward college success!